After the kiss, Cecilia finally realized what she had done. She lowered her head slightly and the majesty of a city lord disappeared. That shy look could make any man petrified.
"What's wrong with me? The moment I saw Dior, I couldn't hold it in anymore and all my reservations flew away. I don't know if it's an illusion, but when I saw Dior, he became even more charming … It seems like I haven't seen him in a long time, this heartless thief! "
This was Cecilia's inner thoughts.
Stantine's heart was about to collapse.
However, even if he lost, he couldn't lose. Stantine forced himself to say, "I'm the second successor of the Ironthorn family, the fourth son of Count Stantine, Albert Stantine!"
"Ironthorn family? I've never heard of it. "Bai Xiaowen said calmly.
Cecilia's body softened as Bai Xiaowen held her waist. She whispered to Bai Xiaowen, "Black Rock City is the territory of the Ironthorn family. Stantine's family is very powerful and is the most powerful noble family in the northern border."
Albert Stantine put away his proud expression and said, "The Ironthorn family is a powerful family in the northern border, but they have always kept a low profile. So it's not surprising that some ignorant people haven't heard of the Ironthorn family's name."
"Is that so?" Bai Xiaowen smiled, "Since Black Rock City is the territory of the Ironthorn family, then why didn't I see you when I led the army to Black Rock City when the survivors attacked? I didn't even see anyone with the surname Stantine. "
Baron Stantine's expression was a bit ugly as he said, "Father gave the command of Black Rock Fortress to His Royal Highness to do the work behind the scenes, dispatching food and protecting the safety of the transportation route. The importance of this logistics work is something that many immature young people don't understand. They only know how to fight on the battlefield and see it as the only glory. "
Cecilia straightened her back and her beautiful face was bitingly cold. She said in a deep voice, "Baron Stantine, do you know who is standing in front of you?"
Baron Stantine already had his guesses, but he remained silent.
"The man standing in front of you is Dior Si Kail Bloom. He was the one who contributed many strategies in the battle of Black Rock City. He resolved the Plague of the Undead and left White Stone City and Black Rock City in the north. He was the one who killed Absolon, the commander-in-chief of the coalition army of the remnants, so that the beasts would never dare to set their eyes on the Gorse Empire again!"
"Are you sure you want to brag about your achievements in transporting food in front of such a person?"
Baron Stantine took a step back. "It really is you, Dior S Kail Bloom."
"I think my title is viscount, right?" Bai Xiaowen snorted. "Your Excellency, isn't it rude to call me by my name?"
"I'm sorry, Viscount Dior." Baron Stantine quickly organized his words. "You have indeed made some meritorious contributions, but do you know that your meritorious service is based on turning most of the humans in the northern border into mindless monsters? The citizens of the Gorse Empire all think that you are a cold-blooded demon! "
Bai Xiaowen shook his head and looked at Stantine with disdain. He hugged Cecilia and was about to enter the Mayor's Mansion.
When he passed by Baron Stantine, the latter said sternly, "You don't dare to defend yourself?"
Bai Xiaowen suddenly stopped and stared back at Baron Stantine.
"Who do you think you are? Do I need to defend you? Everything that I did before, I would do it again. I would never regret it. You are too stupid to understand my actions. I'm not your father, so why should I tell you the reasons and make you smarter? "
"You!" Baron Stantine was so angry that his face turned red.
Cecilia said in a low voice, "If possible, try not to get into a conflict with him. The Ironthorn Family's territory controls the road from the Empire to the Northern Frontier. It's not good to offend them."
Bai Xiaowen smiled. "I already guessed that was the reason."
If it hadn't been for Constantine's important status and Cecilia's fear, this strong woman known as White Rose wouldn't have treated Constantine nicely.
The road from the Empire to the Northern Frontier was indeed important. Once it was cut off, White Stone City would be no different from an isolated city. It would cut off the possibility of communication with the outside world.
Moreover, there were only two large human strongholds in the Northern Frontier. One was White Stone City and the other was Black Rock City. Black Rock City was several times larger than White Stone City. It had a complete range of resources and professionals. It was not something that the poor White Stone City could compare to.
White Stone City needed to trade with Black Rock City to obtain the resources it needed to develop.
Cecilia was enduring so patiently because she wanted to develop White Stone City that Bai Xiaowen left behind.
After a pause, Bai Xiaowen said, "Actually, you don't have to spoil that guy. I don't believe that White Stone City can't develop without the Ironthorn Family. "
Cecilia gently held Bai Xiaowen's arm. "You're the lord. You have the final say."
The two were affectionate, but Baron Stantine's eyes were spitting fire. He rushed over and took off his glove, throwing it at Bai Xiaowen's feet.
"Pick it up, you coward!"
A low cry sounded. In the Cain Plane, if a noble threw a glove at another person, it meant a duel. If the other party picked up the glove, it meant they accepted the duel.
Then, something even more shocking happened. Bai Xiaowen stepped on the glove with the Ironthorn Design.
"Duel with me? Are you worthy?" Bai Xiaowen said indifferently.
Whether it was in title or influence, Bai Xiaowen was much stronger than Baron Stantine. A Rank A's reputation was not small. Although in the eyes of the Gorse Empire's citizens, the name Dior Kail Bloom was infamous.
"I'm not dueling with you as a warrior. I have no interest in your achievements. I'm challenging you as a suitor! " Baron Stantine roared. "A vulgar country bumpkin like you isn't worthy of a beautiful rose like Cecilia. Do you dare to pick up your sword and accept my challenge? "
Bai Xiaowen understood the cultural background of Cain Plane very well. This kind of duel for a lover was very popular among nobles and was generally accepted.
Of course, those nobles who were not skilled in martial arts could also appoint their subordinates to accept the duel in their place. But the one who initiated the challenge could not do so. The challenger had to go up himself.
Cecilia shook her head and said, "Baron Stantine, have you forgotten that Baron Dior is the warrior who killed Absauron? With your strength, aren't you just asking for humiliation by challenging him?"
Although people from the spiritual world could not see the other party's information like Bai Xiaowen, they could roughly sense a person's strength from the fluctuations of the psionic particles.
From the fluctuations of the psionic particles, Baron Stantine was only a Rank 5 or 6 elite. He was not even comparable to Cecilia's knights, Tim, Mark, and Phil, let alone Bai Xiaowen.
Baron Stantine's face turned even redder. He said word by word, "I can't accept the humiliation of being looked down upon by the woman I love. I bet the honor of the Ironthorn Family, Viscount Dior, I want to duel to the death with you! "
Gasps sounded. Everyone looked at each other, thinking that Stantine was crazy.
Bai Xiaowen frowned and used Insight on Baron Stantine.
"Target is in the state of chameleon blood camouflage …"
"Unknown interference, data in disorder …"
"This Insight will deduct 500 psionic energy points. Do you want to pay? "
Bai Xiaowen immediately chose to pay. All of a sudden, Albert Stantine's template information changed in his eyes.
[Arquette Erwin (Leader Rank 7)/Chameleon Blood]
[Race: Humanoid/Human]
[Profession: Mana Swordsman]
[Attributes: Strength 35, Agility 59, Constitution 45, Spirit 25]
[Skill 1: Engraving Seal: Cast a secret engraving seal on the target. The target's next spell will be disrupted by the seal and fail. The spell's energy will be sealed in the mana blade. In the next 10 minutes, every time the mana blade hits the target, it will cause additional spell damage (attribute is determined by the disrupted spell).]
[Skill 2: Magical Blade: Passive. Your blade surges with magical energy. Each successful physical attack will have an additional 10 points of magical damage (no attributes).]
[Skill 3: Flicker Strike: Instantly disappear from the spot and appear behind the target to attack. If this attack hits, it will cause double damage.]
[Skill 4:???]
[Skill 5: Wandering Swordsman Rank 1: Arquette's HP is increased by 300 points. The duration of abnormal statuses and control skills is reduced by 30%.]
"Damn, he even has the camouflage of Chameleon Blood … This guy isn't Baron Stantine at all! He has ulterior motives! "
Bai Xiaowen opened his eyes slightly and carefully looked at "Stantine". This Stantine's real name was Arquette. He didn't know where he came from, but his strength was quite strong and he was especially good at fighting alone.
"A duel to the death, are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure!"
"Okay then," Bai Xiaowen said lightly, "As you wish. According to the usual practice, I should set the time and place, right? "
Arquette sneered and said, "As you wish."
"The time is set at noon. As for the location, it will be at the central square of White Stone City. How about it? "Bai Xiaowen looked up at the sky. It was now one or two hours away from noon.
"Okay! I'll wait for you at the central square. Don't be afraid to come! "Arquette finished speaking and got into the carriage with the help of the butler and left.
Seeing the carriage engraved with the Iron Thorn emblem leave, Cecilia stepped forward and held Bai Xiaowen's hand and said, "Actually, there's no need to lower yourself to the same level as this guy."
"You're wrong, this person isn't simple!" Bai Xiaowen shook his head and said, "Cecilia, tell me first, what does the territory need from Black Rock City recently?"
… …
"Big news! The Lord is going to duel with Baron Stantine! "
"I heard that it's because of the Lord of the City, and it's a duel to the death!"
"Where is it? I want to see it! "
In just a little over an hour, the news of the duel spread throughout White Stone City as if it had grown wings. Many residents rushed to the central square to see this good show.
Inside the carriage of the Iron Thorn family.
An old man wearing a butler's uniform put down the thick plush curtain.
"No wonder it's getting noisier and noisier outside. There are so many people wanting to watch."
Stantine, the wandering swordsman Arquette, who was sitting opposite him, sneered, "How can so many people gather in such a short time? It must be that Lord adding fuel to the fire. He thinks that victory is already in his hands and wants to beat me in front of his people to show off. "
The old butler laughed, "He didn't expect that his opponent wasn't the noble Young Master Stantine, but a powerful wandering swordsman."
"Hmph, Viscount Dior's expression will be very interesting when the time comes." Arquette said.
"However, we still can't let our guard down. Dior's strength is definitely not ordinary. He was able to kill the Orc Great Chieftain Absolon!"
Arquette shook his head and said disdainfully, "I've heard the whole story. Absolon was surrounded by a wave of zombies and was killed by Dior in the end. His true strength is only average. Moreover, in this kind of duel, he can use my strength better. He's dead for sure! "
"Hmm, that's right. As long as Dior dies, the Iron Thorn family can apply to take over the territory since he has no successor! " The old butler laughed, "The magical zombie luring potion and the formula for the camouflage potion used by White Stone City will be the property of the Iron Thorn family."
"I'm not interested in that. Just give me my share." Arquette said.
"You can rest assured … …"
Suddenly, the commotion outside became louder. Someone shouted, "My lord! Lord Dior and Lord Castellan have both appeared! "
"It's your turn to perform, Mr. Arquette." The old butler smiled mysteriously.
Arquette smiled and nodded. He opened the thick curtain and jumped off the carriage.
The Central Square was packed with enthusiastic spectators. Only the central area, under the control of the city guards, was separated into a circular area about 100 meters in diameter. This was the duel arena.
Soon, Bai Xiaowen and Arquette arrived at the circular duel arena and stood facing each other.
"Only one person can survive today, Viscount Dior." Arquette acted like he was serious. "Only one person can win Cecily's heart!"
"Her heart has long been mine." Bai Xiaowen's warm smile made Arquette's heart inexplicably angry. "Hey, let's sign the duel contract first."
In a duel contract, both sides must have a notary.
On Bai Xiaowen's side, Cecilia was the notary. He signed the contract and had no regrets.
On Arquette's side, there were no decent nobles to testify. He could only rely on his personal butler, Mr. Harold. However, Arquette obviously came prepared. He brought the silver thorn seal that symbolized the authority of the Iron Thorn family and stamped his and Harold's names.
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